The Bastion system, thought to be deployed at or near Russia’s Tartus naval facility, is an advanced mobile anti-ship and surface-to-surface defence system armed with two missiles.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has said the system can hit sea targets at a distance of 350 km (219 miles) and land targets at a distance of 450 km (281 miles).

Russia used the system to launch a coordinate strike against rebels in Syria in 2016.

The Syrian army is also thought to have bought the Bastion system from Russia.

Pantsir-S1

The Pantsir-S1 is also included in the arsenal (Image: CEN/MoD)

A truck-mounted short to medium range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapons system possessed by both Russian and Syrian government forces in Syria.

Known to be deployed by Russia at or near its Hmeymim air base and at its Tartus naval facility.

Has been fired in Syria a number of times to take out drones and missiles. Can shoot down cruise missiles.

Warships

The Russian Navy’s frigate Admiral Grigorovich sails in the Bosphorus on its way to the Mediterranean Sea (Image: REUTERS)

Russia has between 10 and 15 warships and support vessels deployed in the Mediterranean.

They include the Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen frigates, which are armed with cruise missiles, as well as submarines.

According to a senior Russian politician and satellite imagery, most of the ships have left Russia’s Tartus naval facility “for their own safety.”

Russian daily Kommersant said they were taking part in a long live fire war game close to the Syrian coast intended as a show of force. It said Russia had also deployed Il-38N submarine hunter aircraft.

Military aircraft

Planes such as the Sukhoi Su-57 jet multirole fighter aircraft are among the air arsenal but will not be rolled out until next year (Image: TASS)

Russia is estimated to have dozens of war planes and helicopters at its Hmeymim air base in Syria’s Latakia Province including fighters, bombers and multi-role aircraft.

It is also reported to use another Syrian base for its helicopter gunships.

Moscow is able to mobilise powerful long-range strategic bombers from Russia itself to carry out bombing runs and has also fired cruise missiles in the past from ships in the Caspian Sea.